Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (1969)
"Doppelgänger" (original title)

A planet is discovered in the same orbit as Earth's but is located on the exact opposite side of the sun, making it not visible from Earth. The European Space Exploration Council decide to ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Parrish

Writers:

Gerry Anderson (story), Sylvia Anderson (story),

Stars:

Roy Thinnes, Ian Hendry, Patrick Wymark

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Roy Thinnes	...	Colonel Glenn Ross
Ian Hendry	...	John Kane
Patrick Wymark	...	Jason Webb
Lynn Loring	...	Sharon Ross
Loni von Friedl	...	Lisa Hartmann
Franco De Rosa	...	Paulo Landi (as Franco Derosa)
George Sewell	...	Mark Neuman
Ed Bishop	...	David Poulson (as Edward Bishop)
Philip Madoc	...	Dr. Pontini
Vladek Sheybal	...	Psychiatrist
George Mikell
Herbert Lom	...	Doctor Hassler

Storyline

A planet is discovered in the same orbit as Earth's but is located on the exact opposite side of the sun, making it not visible from Earth. The European Space Exploration Council decide to send American astronaut Glenn Ross and British scientist John Kane via spaceship to explore the other planet. After a disastrous crash-landing Ross awakes to learn that Kane lies near death and that they apparently have returned to Earth, as evidenced by the presence of the Council director and his staff. Released to the custody of his wife, he soon learns things are not as they seem.

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Plot Keywords:

planet | astronaut | sun | 2060s | outer space | 

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Taglines:

Man has conquered the moon with the epic Apollo 11 flight! Now take another momentous journey!

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Genres:

Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 November 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Journey to the Far Side of the Sun

Filming Locations:

Albufeira, Algarve, Portugal

Company Credits

Production Co:

Century 21 Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lynn Loring, real-life wife of Roy Thinnes replaced Tisha Sterling, who had to withdraw because of illness.

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Goofs

When John Kane is retrieving photographs in the space craft before landing, there's a hand in the printer slot handing out the photographs.

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Quotes

Jason Webb: Are you telling me that you don't know anyone here? Your wife? Lisa? Neuman?
Col. Glenn Ross: Only their Doppelgangers.

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Connections

Remade as The Stranger (1973)

User Reviews

Really Cool!

I had never seen this movie before it aired on a local cable sci-fi network. It reminded me of the Irwin Allen TV series of the late 60's (Time Tunnel etc). Excellent effects (they beat Star Trek 5 done 20 years later, but then that wasn't very hard to accomplish).

I found the script very intriguing and mature for this type of production. They would have needed a few touch ups to tie some loose ends on the characters' level, but for a kid movie its surprisingly interesting (especially the the glimpse at futuristic euro- politics, surprisingly similar to today's European Union!)

The plot is indeed reminiscent of Twilight Zone in general (as other users have pointed), but in this case it's a compliment.

Great sets, by the way!

7/10